Students with disabilities frequently have difficulty displaying their knowledge or skills on tests. Specifically addressing and teaching test-taking techniques may improve a student's grade. You can provide students with the opportunity to learn and practice strategies for test-taking in a structured setting. The following are general techniques students should follow when taking all tests.

Review the entire test.

Know the time allotted for taking the test.

Know the point-value of each question.

Follow the directions carefully.

Notice key words in instructions and questions.

Reread directions and questions for clarity.

Go through the test and answer questions you are sure of first.

Place a mark beside questions you need to return to later.

Return to all marked questions and answer them.

Review the questions and your answers before turning in a test.

Use the SCORER system (Carman & Adams, 1972) strategies to help students with learning disabilities take tests.

S – Schedule your time. The student reviews the entire test and plans time to be spent on each item.

C – Look for Clue words. For example, on true-false items, words such as always and never usually indicate the statement is false. Words such as usually or sometimes frequently indicate the statement is true.

O – Omit difficult questions.The student should move through the test the first time answering the questions that he/she immediately knows. If he/she finds a question that is not easy to answer, he/she should skip that question and mark it (circle the number or check it, etc.) as a reminder to come back to that question. Students can even jot brief notes in the margin to use later for answering the question.

E – Estimate your answers. The student goes back to the question he/she did not answer the first time through the test. The student estimates or makes a best guess. At this point, the student should cross-out choices that he/she knows are incorrect and estimate the answer using the choices that are left.

R – Review your work. The student should use every minute available to check his/her work for completion and accuracy. All items should have an answer. The student should not change an answer unless he/she has a good reason. Also, the student should make sure that his/her name is on the test as well as any other information that the teacher requests.